Montana 1999
Montana Rifle Company · Rifle · In Production · 1999
Also known as: Montana Rifle Company Model 1999, MRC 1999, Model 1999
Overview
The Montana 1999 is an American controlled-round-feed bolt-action hunting rifle introduced in 1999 by gunsmith Keith Sipe. Its Model 1999 action blends the best traits of the pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 and the Mauser 98: a Model 70-style three-position safety and adjustable trigger paired with a full-length Mauser controlled-feed claw extractor, a cone-breech C-ring barrel fit, and a five-point gas-venting system. Offered in both right- and left-handed actions of several lengths and diameters, the rifle is chambered for a wide range of cartridges from the .308 Winchester family up to large dangerous-game rounds, with the long action covering popular options such as the .30-06 Springfield.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3140 g (110.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1118 mm (44.02") |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Fixed Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 880 m/s (2887 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3764 J (2776 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .30-06 Springfield · primary — also known as .30-06, 7.62x63mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Three Position Safety
- Features: Controlled Round Feed, Claw Extractor, Five Point Gas Venting, Drilled And Tapped Receiver, Hinged Floorplate
Service history
Operators
- Civilian hunters and sport shooters
Production
Production years: 1999-present
Production paused 2020-2023 between company closure and revival under Grace Engineering Corp.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Keith Sipe
Notes
Montana Rifle Company began by supplying barreled actions and barrels to custom gunsmiths before building complete rifles. Ownership passed from Keith Sipe to his son Jeff Sipe in 2007; the firm closed in 2020 and was revived by Grace Engineering Corp in 2023. The Model 1999 action underpins later MRC sporting models.
Background
The Montana Rifle Company was founded in 1999 in the Flathead Valley of Montana after gunsmith Keith Sipe set out to build a high-quality controlled-feed action that fellow gunsmiths could no longer easily source, marrying the strength of the Mauser 98 to the refinements of the pre-64 Winchester Model 70.